This is my story - 72 Hong Kong/Taiwan

72 – Links with China

After that wonderful experience at the International Conference of Leaders and participation at Crystal Cathedral, we flew back to Hong Kong. I felt like the disciples, Peter, James and John after the glorious experience at the Mount of Transfiguration returning to the valley of need. They had to go down from the mountain to heal the sick, feed the hungry, save the lost and bring the lost sheep to the Shepherd.

China was very much in the news. Hong Kong people were jittery because of 1997 the year when the territory would be returned to China. Those who could afford or had connections were emigrating to other lands they reckoned to be safe. The fearful felt the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

We received word from the International Secretary for South Pacific and East Asia Commissioner Robert Bath asking us to make arrangements to take him and his wife to visit China. Our leaders at International Headquarters wanted us to keep contact with former Salvationists and prepare for the day when the door hopefully would open for the Army to return to China.

As the Officer Commanding, I represented the Army in the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Christian Council. Apart from attending meetings, I was invited to dinners when prominent officials from overseas visited Hong Kong. One of the frequent visitors was Bishop K H Ting, the President of China Christian Council and leader of TSPM (Three Self Patriotic Movement.) He was also the founder and President of the Amity Foundation and Principal of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary. He was a man with tremendous influence. He was friendly and had a high regard for The Salvation Army.

Earlier in 1985, my wife and I together with Major James Lau and Corps Sergeant Major Wilbur Walker of Dulwich Hill Corps made an initial visit to China. We contacted former officers who warmly welcomed us. For Wilbur Walker it was returning to the land he grew up. Wilbur Walker was only three months old when his parents Major and Mrs. George Walker left Australia for China as Salvation Army missionaries. He lived there with his parents till he was eighteen when he went home to Australia for further education. Wilbur had never forgotten China, the land he spent his childhood.

Major James Lau having been stationed in Taiwan for a few years spoke fluent Mandarin and was our interpreter. We visited Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai and met a number of former Chinese officers. It was a great experience to visit the land of our forefathers for the first time.

Way back in 1912, the Founder General William Booth on his deathbed said to his son Bramwell, “I have been thinking very much during the last few nights about China. I greatly regret that the Lord has not permitted me to raise our flag amongst the wonderful people. Promise me that you will begin the work in China.” Father and son then clasped their hands and prayed together.

In 1906 Commissioner George Scott Railton had visited Tianjin and Shanghai. During the next couple of years he had a Rescue Home in Tianjin. Brigadier Matilda Hatcher was the officer in charge of this Home for two years. Since then different officers at various times had visited China to survey the land. But the time was not ripe for official opening.

On 1^st December 1915 a pioneer team of six officers arrived in Beijing. They started to learn Mandarin and a month later on 20^th January 1916 the Army officially opened work in China and the name was translated “Chiu Shih Chun” literally meaning “Save World Army.”

The work grew despite trials and tribulations. Twice the work of the Army was proscribed. In 1937 work in North China was closed because of the war and the Army moved to South China. The Salvation Army ceased to function during the dark days of Japanese occupation of China including Hong Kong.

Fast forward to 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong announced to the world the formation of the People’s Republic of China. New guidelines were given to the churches including The Salvation Army.

In 1951 The Salvation Army joined the Chinese Christian Patriotic Three Self Movement under the name of The Salvation Army of China. It had to sever links with International Headquarters. Major Liu Fong was selected as leader and Major Ying Hung Shun as assistant. Finally in 1958 The Salvation Army ceased to exist in China and compelled to merge completely with the The Three Self Movement.

After years of isolation in 1979 Major Yin Hung Shun made contact with The Salvation Army in America. Different people including General Arnold Brown then visited China and made contact with the former Chinese officers.

In1985, it was our privilege to make our first trip. We went on social visit pass and did not wear our uniform neither did we conduct official meetings. We did our pastoral visitation, read the Bible and prayed with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Everywhere we went we were warmly welcomed.

We met many former officers among them Brigadier Su Chien-Chi. I recall when we called on him the first thing he did after greeting us was to sing “Lift up the Army banner, blood and fire!”  We met Major Yin Hung-Shun and officers in Beijing. He had rented the old office of the Territorial Commander at the former Territorial Headquarters from the Three Self Movement and used it to meet visitors. When the group of former officers met us in this room, we shared the word of God and prayers and sang the Founder’s Song “O boundless salvation deep ocean of love.” By the time we reached the last verse tears flowed freely as we sang

“And now hallelujah the rest of my days shall greatly be spent in promoting His praise

Who opened His bosom to pour out this sea of boundless salvation for you and for me.”